Francis: History yearns for renewed Battle of Alberta playoff rivalry

Lanny McDonald and Jamie Macoun have heard the buzz, as has Kris Versteeg.

Heck, they’ve helped create it.

The Flames’ seven-game winning streak has shifted the conversation from whether the Flames will make the playoffs to the possibility of a first round Battle of Alberta.

While Edmonton has finally stabilized into a consistent winner destined for its first playoff appearance in 11 years, the Flames manic approach has them on a 12-2-1 run that suddenly had them tied with Anaheim and two points back of the Oilers before Tuesday night’s action.

The trio appears destined to battle it out for second and third in the Pacific division, which will meet in Round 1.

“It would be unbelievable,” said McDonald, the former Flames captain who faced off against the Oilers in four of the franchise’s five interprovincial playoffs, including 1983, ’84, ’86 and ’88.

“I think the fact is, fans just want to see (the Flames) back in the playoffs. To me, playing Edmonton would be the bonus. I don’t know if it could ever get to be as vicious and intense as it was back then, but if they find a way to make it happen, it won’t even take one game – the rivalry will be back before the puck drops. Oh my God, that would be so good.”

It’s been a full 26 years since the war between Alberta’s north and south was reduced to a minor skirmish.

When last we saw the battle, Esa Tikkanen was putting the finishing touches on a hat trick with a Game 7 overtime goal banked nicely off Frank Musil’s leg. The year was 1991.

The Saddledome went instantly silent, which is how the rivalry has been ever since.

“The ’91 series was, for me, the most physical series I’ve ever been in. I’ve never been hit so hard and so many times,” said former Flames centre Joel Otto, admitting he too would cherish seeing new seeds planted on an old rivalry.

“When you get into the playoffs against one another, you get a hate for one another and it translates into the season and that’s what rivalries are built on. You respect the other team but you build an immense hatred for them because you play them so often.”

Truth is, Vancouver is Calgary’s current rival, stemming largely from their series to open the Flames’ 2004 playoff run to the Cup, followed by another series win two years ago.

This season, after years of dominance over the Oilers, the Flames lost all four games.

However, many are curious to see how the two would stack up now that the Flames’ goaltending has rebounded, as has the Flames’ top line.

“I’ve been getting quite a few texts and phone calls from friends and family members – back home there’d be a lot of excited fans,” said Flames winger Kris Versteeg, a native of Lethbridge who admits that while he grew up an Oilers fan, he jumped onto the Flames bandwagon in 2004 and proudly wore a Flames puck on his head while driving his van around, complete with car flags.

“In my family it’s divided right down the middle. I have a lot of fond memories of Edmonton and Calgary and the battle, so to see them play together and be part of it would be amazing.”

Flames coach Glen Gulutzan winced at such talk, as his club has plenty of work to do over the last 16 games to ensure a playoff spot, let alone eyeing up their Round 1 opponent.

“I haven’t really thought about it, honestly, and I don’t read, but if it does happen in any way, shape or form I think it would be great for the province,” said Gulutzan, whose club hosts Montreal Thursday.

“Especially with what we’re going through here the last couple years, it would be a great thing for the people of the province to have that (battle) going again.”

With the sagging oil industry and various levels of government devastating the economy, Albertans are hoping an old-time playoff distraction would be more than just a pipe dream.

“Maybe it would take a few games to get going before they hate each other, but hopefully after that they start to because it carries on into the next year,” reiterated Macoun, who played in that 1991 series with Otto, Al MacInnis, Joe Nieuwendyk and a host of other stars who finished well ahead of the Oilers that year.

“Not only is it good for the fans but good for the players because the good ones come to the forefront. I was at the last two Flames games and there seems to be a little more excitement. I’m playing with a bunch of 55-year-olds tonight and I guarantee the Battle of Alberta will be the topic in the dressing room.”

It is all over town.

“It would be awesome – both cities could use it,” said Flames assistant coach Martin Gelinas, who played for Edmonton in that 1991 series. “But from a coaching standpoint, we’ve got a ways to go.

“It’s good to get excited from the outside, but from the inside, we’ve got to get there first.”

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.